Welcome to PWInsider.com’s ongoing coverage of the 2014 WWE Hell in A Cell PPV!
Kickoff
They have a Hell in A Cell logo hanging above the ring with the Cell itself.
The Kickoff show opened with Renee Young introducing the pre-show panel of Booker T, Alex Riley and Paul Heyman, who said his client Brock Lesnar was watching with great interest. Heyman refused to play along with the $9.99 plugs.
They discussed the double main event of Hell in A Cell matches. Paul Heyman said Randy Orton and John Cena were fighting to see who would be fed next to Brock Lesnar.
They aired a video feature on Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins. Alex Riley ran down the "keys to victory" for each competitor, analyzing each competitor, their strengths and potential strategies. They discussed the Dean vs. Seth rivalry.
They aired a video piece on Randy Orton vs. John Cena, presenting them as one of the greatest rivalries ever, not just in pro wrestling but sports.
Booker T said bragging rights are on the line as well as the top contender position for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Booker said that Randy Orton has always been his guy and his DNA reads champion, but Cena is going old school. Riley said that Cena has more on the line tonight then Orton does because Cena wants to get his 16th World title to "tie" Ric Flair. Heyman was asked who he would prefer to see Brock defend the title against. Heyman said it's not about who he personally prefers. He said it's a match that can be determined as a winner's nightmare. He said they one man will emerge dominant after ten years and will have bragging rights over the other, but they are stepping out of the Cell to one day enter the match that is even more dangerous - a match against Brock Lesnar. He said one of them tonight will have their final moment of glory, because their next opportunity will be against Lesnar, and they will lose.
They promoted that Mizdow TV will have its debut appearance tonight.
The Miz and Damien Mizdow came to the ring for MizdowTV. Miz said that he was letting Mizdow host out of the kindness of his heart. Mizdow said it was the greatest moment of his career, and introduced Miz as his guest. Miz began feeding him questions. Miz said he’s beaten Sheamus so many times, it’s second nature. As Miz was answering, Mizdow was mimicking him. Miz said that he feels sorry for the fans because tonight will feel like a rerun but lucky for them, it’s starring him. Mizdow pointed out he technically pinned Sheamus on Raw, which Miz wasn’t happy about. Mizdow explained that since Miz is his inspiration and he works for him, Miz technically won. Miz promised to win the U.S. title tonight at the PPV. Mizdow began putting over all of Miz’s accomplishments as a wrestler and cross-over star in films. He told Miz that he was the best friend he’s ever had. Miz told Damien he was touched and appreciated his words. He said he was generous enough to give them back, saying he was a damn good stunt double and one that he’s truly proud to call his friend. They embraced.
Sheamus appeared on the screen. He said that if Mizdow is truly the friend he claims to be, he should ask him to get down on his knees and kiss Miz’s a** goodbye. He said that if their bout is a movie, consider this a trailer. He said he was giving away the best part and Brogue Kicked the camera into oblivion. Miz and Mizdow weren’t happy.
The Miz and Damien Mizdow came to the ring for MizdowTV. Miz said that he was letting Mizdow host out of the kindness of his heart. Mizdow said it was the greatest moment of his career, and introduced Miz as his guest. Miz began feeding him questions. Miz said he’s beaten Sheamus so many times, it’s second nature. As Miz was answering, Mizdow was mimicking him. Miz said that he feels sorry for the fans because tonight will feel like a rerun but lucky for them, it’s starring him. Mizdow pointed out he technically pinned Sheamus on Raw, which Miz wasn’t happy about. Mizdow explained that since Miz is his inspiration and he works for him, Miz technically won. Miz promised to win the U.S. title tonight at the PPV. Mizdow began putting over all of Miz’s accomplishments as a wrestler and cross-over star in films. He told Miz that he was the best friend he’s ever had. Miz told Damien he was touched and appreciated his words. He said he was generous enough to give them back, saying he was a damn good stunt double and one that he’s truly proud to call his friend. They embraced.
Sheamus appeared on the screen. He said that if Mizdow is truly the friend he claims to be, he should ask him to get down on his knees and kiss Miz’s a** goodbye. He said that if their bout is a movie, consider this a trailer. He said he was giving away the best part and Brogue Kicked the camera into oblivion. Miz and Mizdow weren’t happy.
They discussed the WWE Tag Team championship bout, using the brothers teaming with each other against another pair of brothers as the theme of the discussion. They then discussed the bout between The Bellas tonight and showed footage of what went down between them on Smackdown.
They then discussed the IC and the Rusev vs. Big Show bouts. They aired a video feature on Show vs. Rusev.
They went to Michael Cole and JBL at ringside for a special “bonus” match.
Mark Henry vs. Bo Dallas
Bo Dallas did his usual good mic work, saying he was re-naming himself Bo Washington tonight as a way to knock the Dallas Cowboys.
Henry attacked Dallas and worked him over, tossing him all over the ring and nailing an Avalanche in the corner. He nailed the World’s Strongest Slam and pinned him.
Your winner, Mark Henry!
More Massacre than match!
Dallas, beat up on the floor, told Henry that Henry cheated so Bo is 5-0 against Mark, because he Bo-lieves. Henry tossed him into the railing.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviewed Paige and Alicia Fox. Paige said that AJ ripped her heart out but luckily she had Foxy to help her. She said she was going to take AJ's best friend, the Divas championship. Fox was great being her crazy self.
The Pre-Game Show closed off with the great “By the Numbers” video on the Cell.
WWE HELL IN A CELL PPV
They had the usual very good video promoting the top matches.
WWE Intercontinental champ Dolph Ziggler vs. Cesaro: Best of Three Falls
They immediately began grappling on the mat, going back and forth with reversals. Ziggler was backed into the ropes and Cesaro broke clean. They faced off and jawed. Ziggler was caught in a Fireman’s Carry but slipped out. They went back and forth with some really nice wrestling before Cesaro caught the champion in a side headlock. They had a nice series of near falls. Ziggler hit a leaping clothesline in the corner but was shoved off when he went for a neckbreaker. Cesaro went for the Big Swing but Ziggler rolled him up for a two count. Cesaro caught him and brought back the Swing for the first time in forever for a two count. Ziggler caught him with an inside cradle after the kickup and scored the three count. Nice finish.
The winner of the first fall, Dolph Ziggler!
Cesaro immediately attacked Ziggler and laid him out before the second fall could begin. Ziggler took time recovering and was obviously woozy in the corner. Cesaro killed him with a running forearm in the corner for a two count. Cesaro walked the middle rope and went for an elbow but missed.
Ziggler fought back but was cut off with a big right hand. Cesaro locked him in a straightjacket clutch but Ziggler fought his way to his feet and nailed a series of rights. Ziggler nailed a big elbow but was caught with a slam. Cesaro acted as if his arm was bothering him but nailed a double stomp for a two count. Cesaro nailed a powerbomb for another two count.
Ziggler snapped the arm over the ropes and locked on a cobra clutch variation as a submission attempt. Cesaro was able to turn it around into a suplex attempt but Ziggler kneed him and turned it into a yet another submission attempt. Cesaro drilled Ziggler into the corner several times then climbed the ropes while Ziggler was still cinched in. In an incredible show of strength, Cesaro turned it into a superplex off the middle turnbuckle in one sweeping motion, scoring a two count. The Dallas crowd chanted, “This is awesome.”
Ziggler sent Cesaro into the corner and nailed the Famouser but only scored a two count. They went back and forth with some great moves. Cesaro used a series of strikes to the back of the neck after tossing him into the air for European uppercut for a near fall, showing frustration. Cesaro nailed a backbreaker for a two count. He went for the Neutralizer but Zigger kicked out and snapped his arm, nailed a superkick and a Zig Zag for the pin.
Your winner and still WWE Intercontinental champion, Dolph Ziggler!
Really, really fun opener with some great athletic exchanges and fun near falls. They really left it all in the ring. Ziggler adding so many submissions really added to his in-ring persona and Cesaro, even in losing, looked like a beast. Great stuff.
Loser Must Be Winner’s Personal Assistant: Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella
They locked up with Niki grabbing at Brie’s hair to get the upper hand. Brie slapped him and rolled her up for a one count. Brie used a backslide for a two count. They fought back and forth. Nikki nailed the Electric Chair on her suster and began beating her head into the mat for a two count. She locked in a side headlock and continued working over Brie.
Nikki continued working over her sister until Brie nailed her with a kick to the gut and tossed her across the ring by the hair. Brie nailed a leaping clothesline and a dropkick. She nailed a running knee to the face on her sister and went for another but Nikki went to the floor. Brie hit a tope suicide to the outside. I didn’t expect that one.
Brie hit a great missile dropkick for a two count. Nikki cut her off and nailed Shock Treatment for a two count. Nikki went to grab her but was caught and turned into the Yes Lock. Nikki almost immediately got her leg into the ropes. Nikki drilled her sister with a big right forearm as Brie approached.
Nikki nailed Shock Treatment again and scored the pin.
Your winner, Nikki Bella!
Brie must now be her “Personal Assistant” for the next 30 days.
OK match. Brie Bella worked extremely hard here and showed some nice athletic moves and fire as a babyface. Nikki tried really hard to be the aggressive heel here.
Back at the assembled Hell in A Cell panel, they discussed the results of the Bellas’ bout. Booker T said we just say the “Shucky Ducky Quack Quack” moment of the night. Alex Riley said that Cesaro vs. Ziggler was one of the best matches of the year. Paul Heyman said they need to discuss Orton vs. Cena because the winner becomes a 250 lb. slab of meat to be fed to Brock Lesnar.
WWE Tag Team champions Goldust & Stardust vs. The Usos
Some nice back and forth work early on. Stardust worked on Jey Uso’s leg, slamming it into the ringpost. The champions took turns working over Jey. He fired away with chops on Goldust but was cut off and locked in a side chinlock. The champions continued working over Jey. Stardust choked him against the ropes.
Jey finally fought his way out of an attempted bulldog and tagged Jimmy. Jimmy hit a dive to the outside on Goldust. Stardust was tossed to the outside and hit with a dive as well. He went to the top and nailed a flying bodypress for a two count. He nailed a Samoan Drop for another two count.
Goldust was hit with a splash in the corner and then nailed with the running back splash for a two count. Jimmy set up for a superkick but his leg was caught and he was spun towards Stardust, who was kicked off the apron. Goldust caught him with a spinebuster for a two count. Goldust wailed away with a series of chops in the corner but was caught with an elbow off the ropes and a superkick for another two count.
The Usos nailed stereo superplexes. They kept going back and forth until Stardust nailed CrossRhodes and scored the pin.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, Goldust & Stardust!
Another good match. Lots of good tag team work here.
HELL IN A CELL: Randy Orton vs. John Cena
Kudos to WWE for actually reading the room and putting Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose on last. I’ll have a lot more about this on the Post-Game Show for Elite subscribers (sub now at www.PWInsiderElite.com!) but this was the right call in my mind.
The winner gets a future WWE World Heavyweight championship match against Brock Lesnar.
The back and forth chanting started the second they rang the bell. Cena and Orton began slugging it out immediately, going back and forth. They fought outside to the floor, where Orton controlled the action. He tried to run Cena into the cage but Cena blocked it. Orton nailed him and sent him into the cage, then tossed Cena back into the ring for a two count.
Orton went under the ring and brought a steel chair into the ring. He went to nail Cena with it but was kicked in the gut and nailed with a fisherman’s suplex. Cena went to use the chair but Orton cut him off and nailed a series of stomps and headbutts. Orton grabbed the chair and drilled Cena in the chest with it, then beat him over the back for a two count.
Cena tried to surprise Orton with an AA but Orton slipped out and nailed a DDT for a two count. Orton drilled Cena into the ringsteps and ripped Cena’s face into the cage. He continued to work over Cena but began showboating, allowing Cena to drill him with a clothesline for a two count. Orton cut him off with a clothesline in the corner and followed up with another. Orton scored yet another two count.
Orton sent Cena into the Cell again on the floor, then brought Cena back inside the ring. He covered John again but Cena kicked up before three. He cinched in a side chinlock but John fought his way to his feet. Cena made a comeback with a series of shoulderblocks and The Blue Thunder Bomb. He went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Orton stunned him with a shot to the chest and caught him with a snap powerslam for a two count.
Cena made a comeback and rammed Orton, back-first, into the Cell several times on the floor. Orton cut off Cena and rammed him into the ringpost, with Cena’s nether-regions taking the brunt of the shot. Orton then hit his backbreaker variation on the floor. Cena was muscled back into the ring. Cena barely kicked out and rolled out to the apron, pulling himself up on the outside of the ropes. Orton drilled him, launching Cena off the apron into the cage. The crowd chanted, “RKO.”
Orton went to whip Cena into the cage but Cena reversed it and sent Orton into the cage several times on the floor. Cena pulled a table out from under the ring. Orton nailed a standing dropkick to cut off Cena’s momentum and covered him for a two count. Orton sent him into the corner where a chair was wedged and Cena went down hard. Orton covered him for another two count.
Orton set up the table in the corner and tried to send Cena into it but Cena escaped and nailed a shoulderblock. Cena charged but was caught with an RKO out of nowhere for a two count. Orton sent Cena into the table, smashing it, and covered Cena for another two count.
Orton brought in the ring steps and teased nailing the RKO on the stairs. He went for it but Cena slipped out and nailed the Blue Thunder Bomb on the steps, then hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on them. He went for an AA on the steps but Orton slipped out and nailed a low blow, which was legal since it’s a Cell match. Cena kicked out.
Orton went for the punt but Cena avoided it and locked on the STF. Orton fought his way to the ropes and finally made it, but since they are inside the Cell, it doesn’t force a break. Orton finally pulled himself to the floor to force it. Cena grabbed the ring steps and tossed them at Orton on the floor but Orton moved out of the way. Cena chased Orton on the floor but was sent into the ringpost.
Back in the ring, Cena shocked Orton with an Attitude Adjustment and scored a two count. Good match. They go back and forth with Orton scoring several two counts, including Orton nailing a RKO out of a Cena press-powerslam attempt. Cena nailed another AA for a two count.
Cena brought another table into the ring. Cena went to the top but Orton cut him off. The fans chanted “RKO.” Orton planned to nail an RKO off the ropes but Cena pulled him into an AA off the ropes through a table and scored the pin.
Your winner, John Cena!
Cena will soon face WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
Really good match and a nice story with Orton controlling the early portion and a ton of near falls and really good brawling. This was really great stuff from each competitor. This was their best encounter against the other in as long as I can recall off the top of my head.
ready. Show said he was going to knock out Rusev for his country, for himself and for Mark. Henry was silent. Show told Henry that when he was done, they were going to Salisbury, Texas on his bus for some BBQ.
WWE United States champion Sheamus vs. The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
Miz went right after Sheamus but was tossed over the top to the apron for the shots across the chest. Miz avoided but was caught with an over the shoulder backbreaker inside the ring. Miz came back with a series of kicks but was picked up and dropped across the ropes. He went to the apron where he was nailed with clubbing shots across the chest. On the floor, Mizdow reacted to each shot like he was the one being nailed.
Sheamus went for Miz but was kicked off. The champ avoided Mizdow and then ducked a clothesline. Miz nailed his stunt double. Miz was almost tossed into the announcer’s table but was instead tossed into the ring. He cut off Sheamus with a kick as he returned to the ring and worked him over, locking in a side chinlock. Sheamus tried to escape with a belly to back suplex but Miz landed on his feet. Sheamus wiped him out with a series of clotheslines but was sent up and over to the floor as he charged the challenger.
Miz tried to dive off the apron but was caught on Sheamus’ shoulders and hit with a roling Samoan Drop on the floor. Sheamus controlled him in the ring, scoring a two count with The Irish Curse. Miz made a comeback and attempted the Skull Crushing Finale but Sheamus countered. Miz went for the figure four but that failed as well.
Sheamus called for the Brogue Kick but Mizdow got on the apron and tried to call for a “cut.” Miz rolled up Sheamus, who reversed it. Miz kicked up and tried to roll up Sheamus, who kicked up at the last second. Miz went to the top but was nailed with the Brogue Kick as he came off the ropes and pinned.
Your winner and still WWE United States champion, Sheamus!
They did some comedy after where Sheamus moved Miz’s body and Mizdow mimicked it Sheamus made Miz do the “YMCA” and finally nailed him with another Brogue Kick. Pretty silly but the crowd loved it.
Solid match. Mizdow’s stuff at ringside is great. Match itself was OK.
Backstage, Brie Bella was putting stuff in a car. Nikki Bella was all over her about making restaurant reservations. Brie gave her a smoothie that Nikki had requested. Nikki ran down all the ingredients she had requested and Brie confirmed they were in there. Nikki said that was good and poured it all over her sister’s head. She said this one was for Brie, then ordered her to make another the same way and bring it to her hotel. Nikki drove off, leaving Brie to stand there furious. JBL noted she had 29 days to go,
Big Show vs. Rusev (with Lana)
Show went right after Rusev but Rusev drilled him when Show went for a chop in the corner. Rusev went after Show’s knee, including a shoulderblock to it. He began working on Show’s leg and cinched in a leglock. Show used his other leg to kick Rusev across the chest. Rusev cut off Show, suplexed him with ease and went back to work on the leg.
Show finally kicked off Rusev. Rusev came back with a big dropkick to Show’s chest. He gets awesome height on that dropkick. Rusev set up for The Accolade but Show slipped out, grapevined Rusev’s legs and turned Rusev upside down into a submission hold. Rusev got to the ropes.
Show went for the KO but Rusev ducked. Rusev went for a move but was shoulderblocked down and run into the corner. Show speared Rusev, which looked damn impressive.
Mark Henry made his way to the ring. Show called for the chokeslam. Show went for it but Rusev broke free and worked over Show. He went for a move and rebounded off the ropes. Show caught him with the chokeslam but Rusev kicked out at two. Rusev went to the floor and was out there in front of Henry. Show went to the floor and picked up Rusev. He rolled Rusev back in the ring and as he returned to the ring, Henry stopped him to psych him up.
That distraction allowed Rusev enough time to recover and he kicked Show as he returned to the ring. Henry got on the apron but Rusev kicked him off. Rusev drilled Show again and locked on The Accolade. The crowd chanted, “USA.” Show finally submitted.
Your winner, Rusev!
Rusev celebrated with the Russian flag unfurling behind him and Lana.
This was OK in the ring but as a story, was about as perfect as it could have been as a way to build Rusev as he continues to ride towards main events.
Backstage, Dean Ambrose said Halloween is this Friday and the most popular costume will be Seth Rollins, because when they are done tonight, Rollins will look like a zombie from the Walking Dead and Dracula had a baby or something. It was pretty funny. He said they were going to Hell tonight. Usual good promo.
WWE Divas champion AJ Lee vs. Paige (with Alicia Fox)
Paige controlled early until Lee caught her with a nice clothesline. Paige cut her off and sent Lee into the ropes, only to be caught with a twisting head scissors. Lee nailed a spinkick as Paige rebounded off the ropes. The British star went to the floor to regroup but Lee attacked her and sent her into the apron.
Alicia Fox and AJ started brawling on the floor. Paige grabbed AJ and swung her head-first into the ringside barricade several times. Paige tossed the champion back in the ring and began drilling her with headbutts. Paige sent Lee into the corner and worked her over. Paige locked on a surfboard variation.
AJ came back and nailed a tornado DDT off the ropes for a two count. Paige kicked her in the gut but was caught in a guillotine choke. Paige broke it and turned it into a Fallaway Slam but not until after skipping around the ring to mock Lee. Lee went to the floor, where she was run into the barricade.
Paige went atop the barricade but Lee nailed her and Paige hit the top of it backwards before crashing to the floor. She was almost counted out but Fox tossed Paige, still woozy, into the ring to save the match. Lee locked in the Black Widows and scored the submission. .
Your winner and still Divas champion, AJ Lee!
Paige nailed Fox after the match and left her in the ring. Paige yelled at Fox that she hates her.
OK match. They did about as much as they could with the time they had.
HELL IN A CELL: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (with Mercury & Noble)
Ambrose came out first, tossed a bunch of chairs into the ring and then ascended to the top with a Singapore Cane. The crowd loved all this. Rollins refused to play into Ambrose’s hands and went right into the ring. Rollins finally said that if Ambrose wanted to start up there, he would go up there as well. Noble and Mercury tried to change his mind but Rollins said he tells them what to do. He started climbing up, then stopped and went back down and ordered Mercury and Noble to go up and get Ambrose. He said they work for him, which is probably news to WWE.
Mercury and Noble climbed up opposite sides of the Cell. Ambrose caned them down on top of the Cell and unloaded on them. Rollins scrambled up and attacked Ambrose and they began brawling in top of the cell. Mercury and Noble held Ambrose down as Rollins caned him over and over. The henchmen worked over Dean as Rollins tossed the cane down to the floor below.
Rollins told them to toss Ambrose off the top to the floor but Dean broke free and nailed Noble with Dirty Deeds on the top of the cage. He wiped out Mercury and went after Rollins, who tried to scale down. Ambrose followed and they scaled down the same side at the same time. Ambrose caught him halfway down and they battled, slamming each other’s heads into the cage. They both fell off the side of the Cell, crashing through both announcing tables at the same time.
The officials checked on both men and called for stretchers. Rollins was placed on a backboard and put on one of the stretchers. They kept replaying the falls from every camera angle possible, promoting it as this insane fall. Michael Cole made sure to note the match never officially started. They started rolling Rollins out. They began rolling Ambrose out. The crowd chanted his name, which energized him and he broke free from his stretcher.
Ambrose chased Rollins’ stretcher and knocked him off of it. He ran Rollins all the way down the aisle and back to the Cell, running him into it, then tossed Seth into the ring. Dean slammed the cage door into Rollin’ face as he tried to escape and demanded WWE lock the Cell. They did and the match finally, officially, began.
Ambrose began going through a gym bag he brought out and pulled out some potential weapons, then tossed them aside to grab a chair. He told Rollins, “You stabbed me in the back you son of a bitch” and began beating him with a chair over and over. He grabbed a screwdriver and went to use it but Rollins blocked it. Ambrose dropkicked Rollins hard off the apron and into the cage.
Ambrose went under the ring and set up a table standing on it’s side against the Cell on the floor. He tried to send Rollins into it but Seth escaped. Ambrose followed him into the ring and clotheslined Seth back to the floor. Ambrose hit a dive to the outside. Ambrose began piling up the chairs in one place. He grabbed Rollins by the nose and tried to suplex him onto the pile. Rollins avoided it and nailed a belly to back suplex across the chairs.
Rollins bridged a table off the apron to the Cell and tried to suplex Dean out of the ring to the floor. Ambrose fought him off and set up Rollins on the table. He hit a nice elbow off the apron putting Seth through the table in an awesome looking spot. Rollins;’ face was raked back and forth across the Cell but Kane, who had come down to ringside at some point, sprayed a fire extinguisher through the Cell into Dean’s face, “blinding him.” That allowed Rollins to send Ambrose through the table that was set up on the floor against the Cell.
Rollins nailed the Curb Stomp but Dean kicked up at the last second. Rollins grabbed the Money in the Bank briefcase and a chair. He began beating the hell out of with Ambrose with the chair before throwing it out of the ring. Some stiff physicality there. He set up Ambrose over the briefcase for another Curb Stomp but Ambrose came back to fight off Rollins. He nailed the rebound lariat and drilled Rollins in the face with the briefcase for a CLOSE near fall.
Ambrose brought several cinderblocks into the ring and placed Rollins’ head across of the blocks. As he was going to put Rollins through it, the stream went black and the crowd reacted live, so something else happened as well. When the lights came back, a lantern was in the ring spewing smoke, with a hologram of sorts in the smoke. This allowed Bray Wyatt to attack Ambrose and hit him with Sister Abigail.
Rollins, confused as to what the hell is going on, covered Ambrose and scored the pin.
Your winner, Seth Rollins!
After the match, Wyatt nailed Sister Abigail on Ambrose again. We went off the air with Wyatt smiling over him.
What a fun match. The crowd was really into the early stuff on the top of the Cell and the work was really good. The Bray Wyatt stuff at the end seemed to take the breath out of the crowd, although you could hear some fans singing for Wyatt. As a way to interject Wyatt back into the top-tier, it was a good first step on paper, although I expect there will be some backlash to this sort of finish in a Cell bout.
WWE went right into the replay and isn't doing a Post-Show.
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